And If You Wrong Us

Part 1: In The Beginning

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you for coming to read my story! If you end up enjoying this section, please vote and leave a comment! While you read this chapter, here are some things to think about : 1. Do you like the poem at the beginning? (I haven't decided if I should use poems at the beginning of my sections or not!) 2. Keep an eye out for "nods" to famous literature! 3. Can you guess what movie inspired the "ballroom scene"?

I saw you from a distance

A beacon amongst the damned

Your smile left me breathless

I seek your shining light

Come with me, girl so lost

Let us dance and be lost together

For my heart also seeks a truth

One that common life won't give

You move like a vision in white

And I let you play your game

For my heart has been ensnared

By your web of ice and fire

We are separated by tragedy

Yet it may bring us together

And though my heart breaks for you

I wish our souls to shatter as one

Mr. Raven didn't notice his office window had come ajar, allowing a strand of chilly air to curl inside and worm its way towards him. It embraced him, causing the hairs on his neck to stand.

"Goodness, Cirius, have you gone deaf?" Two hands slammed onto his desk.

He jolted. "I didn't hear you come in," he said, beginning to organize the piles of papers strewn across his desk.

Mr. Roberts shook his head. "Haven't you noticed the time?" He tapped the gold watch on his wrist. "I believe you've lost track of it again, unless you meant to work until eight o'clock."

Mr. Raven straightened to his full height, towering above Mr. Roberts. "Eight!" He grabbed his briefcase and began stuffing papers and folders into it. "The wife will have my head!"

Mr. Roberts chuckled. "Ah yes. And how is your Sophie doing?"

"Fine." He threw on his coat and headed for the door. "Do excuse me. I must get home to the family."

Mr. Roberts waved him on with a laugh. "Yes, yes, course."

Mr. Raven rushed down the wide staircase and out the double doors into the winter night, where a flurry of snowflakes sparkled in the glow of the streetlights. He walked with purpose, briefcase occasionally smacking his leg. It was a brisk, brief walk.

When he approached his house, he saw his wife standing alone on the porch. She crossed, her arms, mouth down-turned. He exhaled, his breath like smoke in the chilling air. "I'm sorry. I... I lost track of time."

Sophie uncrossed her arms. "That seems to happen a lot of late." She hurried inside the house.

Mr. Raven shuffled up the porch and through the front door. "Where are the children?"